GEORGE NEWS - Veronica Sondlo, popularly known in Thembalethu as Mam'Gcina, is a phenomenal woman who runs a successful business while also giving back to her community.

Born in Oudtshoorn but growing up in the Eastern Cape, Sondlo has always been interested in business.

She started selling vegetables while residing in Mossel Bay in 1991 and continued doing this when she moved to George the following year, while between jobs. After seven years in the vegetable business, Sondlo started selling fried liver ("Isibindi") - and she hasn't looked back. Its popularity continues to grow in Thembalethu and surrounds.

"I started buying small stock, and sold the liver on the street next to my house into the late hours of the night. The profits not only helped me to feed my family but created jobs for others as well," she says.

Asked what motivates her, she answers, "To create jobs and save the lives of those who like to cook at night while drunk and end up burning their houses on weekends. My liver is also affordable for poor and rich people."

She believes her business can be adopted by every woman, especially the young who are desperate for economic opportunities. "Don't expect a quick profit. Be patient, your customers will support you, especially if you don't keep on raising prices," she says.

Today this mother of seven and grandmother of nine has two shops in Thembalethu, one in Ramaphosa and another in Zone 9 with eight employees. She not only sells sheep liver, but also traditional food, ribs and chips. Mam'Gcina is famous in the region and her restaurants are favoured by celebrities, from politicians to athletes. The stalwart, who celebrates her 60th birthday this weekend, dreams of turning her business into a big franchise such as KFC or McDonalds.

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